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According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 16 percent of all consumer fireworks injuries are caused by sparklers burning hands and legs, with the majority of sparkler injuries occurring to young children. In fact, sparkler injuries accounted for one-third of all firework injuries to children 5 years or younger. These are injuries that would not have occurred if there had been close adult supervision and if some basic safety steps had been taken. The National Council on Fireworks Safety offers these safety steps for sparklers, in the hopes that sparkler injuries to young children can be greatly reduced.

Children under the age of 12 should not use sparklers without very close adult supervision.

Always remain standing while using sparklers.

Never hold a child in your arms while using sparklers.

Never hold, or light, more than one sparkler at a time.

Sparklers and bare feet can be a painful combination. Always wear closed-toe shoes when using sparklers.

Sparkler wire and stick remain hot long after the flame has gone out. Be sure to drop the spent sparklers directly in a bucket of water.

Never hand a lighted sparkler to another person. Give them the unlit sparkler and then light it.

Always stand at least 6 feet from another person while using sparklers.

Never throw sparklers.

Show children how to hold sparklers away from their body and at arm's length.

Teach children not to wave sparklers, especially wooden stick sparklers, or run while holding sparklers.

Sparklers have been a traditional means of celebration for hundreds of years. Let's teach our children how to use them safely and help prevent needless injuries.

The National Council on Fireworks Safety is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose sole mission is to educate the public on the safe and responsible use of consumer fireworks. Learn more at www.fireworkssafety.org.

(12-30-08)

"For richer and for poorer, in sickness and in health," are some of the most common words heard in wedding vows. But what is often overlooked is the health of the married couple's future children.

With National Folic Acid Awareness Month taking place January 12 through 18, 2009, brides-to-be should start thinking about saying "I do" to taking a daily multivitamin with 400 micrograms (mcg) of folic acid daily – to protect their own health and the health of their children-to-be.

Folate is a water-soluble B vitamin that occurs naturally in foods, such as leafy green vegetables, whereas folic acid is the synthetic form of folate that is found in supplements and added to fortified foods. This essential B-vitamin helps build and maintain healthy cells, which is especially critical for the developing fetus. Studies have shown that if taken before and during early pregnancy, folic acid can significantly reduce the number of birth defects of the brain and spine called neural tube defects (NTDs) by up to 70 percent.

Despite the food fortification program that began in 1998, which has enriched breads, cereals, flours, corn meals, pastas, rice and other grain products with folic acid, the average non-pregnant Caucasian woman gets only 128 mcg per day of folic acid from fortified food, according to a study published in the May 2007 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition – African American and Hispanic women get even less folic acid in their daily diet.

"There are nearly 60 million women in the U.S. who are of childbearing age," says Elizabeth T. Jordan, a perinatal clinical nurse specialist and member of the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition Board of Directors. "We know that nearly half of all pregnancies in the U.S. are unplanned and that the average woman is getting less than one-third of the recommended amount of folic acid. We also know that the odds of having a baby born with an NTD could be greatly reduced by women of childbearing age getting the recommended amount of folic acid." The easiest way to reduce the risk of having a baby born with an NTD is for women to begin taking a multivitamin with 400 mcg of folic acid today – not after they become pregnant, says Dr. Jordan.

According to the recent Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study, conducted by the "Life...supplemented" consumer wellness campaign, almost three quarters of physicians (72 percent) and more than three quarters of nurses (88 percent) say it is a good idea for patients to take a multivitamin – many of which contain 400 mcg of folic acid. According to the same survey, 86 percent of nurses and 87 percent of physicians personally take a multivitamin.

"Evidence suggests that the incidence of neural tube defects could be decreased as much as 70 percent if all women had an adequate folate intake during the periconceptual period," says Dr. Jordan. "The neural tube begins to close within the first month of gestation, often before a woman realizes she is pregnant."

To help remind brides-to-be of the importance of taking a daily multivitamin with folic acid, two organizations, the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition, have teamed up to develop a series of free e-postcards that can be sent to brides-to-be, reminding them to take care of their health.

To wish a bride-to-be a lifetime of happiness and health, visit www.crnusa.org/commitment or www.hmhb.org.

(12-30-08)

A new study links in-home smoking bans with parental understanding of the negative effects of thirdhand smoke – the residual tobacco contamination that remains after a cigarette is extinguished, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics.

For the study, researchers conducted phone surveys of more than 1,500 households to assess the level of agreement with the statements that breathing air in a room today where people smoked yesterday could harm the health of children.

Overall, 95.4 percent of nonsmokers versus 84.1 percent of smokers agreed that secondhand smoke harms the health of children, and 65.2 percent of nonsmokers versus 43.3 percent of smokers, that thirdhand smoke harms children. Strict rules prohibiting smoking in the home were more prevalent among nonsmokers – 88.4 percent versus 26.7 percent. Belief that thirdhand smoke harms the health of children was independently associated with rules prohibiting smoking in the home. Health messages about thirdhand smoke contamination should be incorporated into tobacco control campaigns, programs and routine clinical practice.

(12-30-08)

The new recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedule urges an annual influenza vaccine for all children, ages 6 months through age 18, all eligible close contacts of children 0 through age 4 and contacts of children ages 5 through 18 who have an underlying medical condition that predisposes them to influenza complications.

The new schedule also includes the dosage schedule for a second oral rotavirus vaccine recently licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. The immunization schedule has been approved by the AAP, the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Family Physicians.

(12-30-08)

Are you ready to get rid of the bad and instead add healthful habits to your weekly regimen for 2009? A gradual metamorphosis may be easier than you think.

Lisa Druxman, a well-known fitness expert, author and founder of the nation's largest exercise program for new moms, Stroller Strides®, offers five easy-to-adopt To-Dos for the New Year:

Ditch Soda and Try Homemade Spa Water: Some people consume 20 percent of their calories from beverages, so be careful of empty calories found in drinks like soda and juices, which lack the nutrients and fiber of real food, Druxman says. If you're tired of "plain" water, try adding fruit and/or herbs with some ice in a large container, and keep it in your refrigerator for a refreshing treat throughout the day. Some of my favorite flavorful combinations include Cinnamon Apple, Lemon Lime, Cucumber Melon, Mint or Rosemary Lemon.

Add a Tablespoon of Flaxseed: This ancient staple is now a modern miracle, as flaxseeds contain high levels of lignans and omega-3 fatty acids, Druxman says. Lignans may benefit the heart and help prevent cancer – especially breast – and flaxseed has also been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol. Try sprinkling a tablespoon of ground flax seed on your cereal, salads, yogurt and more, and substitute flax seed oil for other oils. Flaxseed can easily go rancid, so be sure to buy it fresh and keep it in a cool and dark sealed container or in the refrigerator.

Meditate: Most people – moms especially – are always on a mission, crazy-busy from wake to sleep. Try meditation to recharge your brain, clear your mind and regenerate, says Druxman. Find five minutes each day to sit still. Focus on a candle, inspiring words or just repeatedly count to 10. Don't get frustrated if your mind wanders; just like you build endurance in exercise, you can also build it during meditation.

DON'T Eat Everything That's Offered to You: You typically have the best intentions, evidenced by your commitment to cooking healthy meals and living a more active lifestyle. But what happens during your trip to Costco when ice cream sandwiches and chicken fingers are being handed out on what seems like every aisle? Bites here and there do add up, Druxman says. Office donuts and Starbucks scone samples will sabotage your will power and healthy routine, so next time you're offered "free" food, step back and reconsider.

DO Eat a Rainbow: Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins, nutrients and fiber ,which may prevent disease and aid in metabolism, but chances are you aren't eating enough, Druxman says. Do your best to eat a "rainbow" of colors during meals, as each has its own health benefits and ensures the variety that your body needs. Some suggestions for adding color to meals:

• Breakfast: Add spinach to your eggs, tomato and lettuce to your toast or avocado on an English muffin.
• Snacks: Dip any kind of veggie into dips like hummus, salsa or low-fat dressings.
• Dinner: Beyond salads and typical vegetable sides, throw chopped veggies into sauces, meatloaf and casseroles.

(12-30-08)

As you draw up a list of your New Year's resolutions, keep your pets in mind, says Lorraine Corriveau, a wellness veterinarian at Purdue University's School of Veterinary Medicine. Here's her top 10 list of New Year's resolution for pets:

1. Spay or neuter your pets, adding more years to their lives and improving their behavior.

2. Provide them age-appropriate health care so that you develop a good idea about their health and build a relationship with your veterinarian.

3. Give them a diet suited to their age and medical condition. Pets kept at their ideal body weight live longer. Look for foods designed for different stages of life and medical conditions.

4. Give them medicines regularly to prevent heartworm and fleas.

5. Groom them at home, especially the minor grooming procedures, because it causes less stress.

6. Exercise and play with them more often, each day if possible.

7. Ask your veterinarian or seek expert advice on behavior problems. A basic training class might be useful, especially for a new puppy.

8. Socialize pets with other animals and people by enrolling them in a dog park, an agility/training class or socialization classes.

9. Donate time, effort or resources to a local animal welfare group.

10. If your pet is especially social, patient and people-oriented, consider certifying it as a therapy animal. Studies have confirmed that pets increase a person's life span, help speed recovery in case of young and old patients, and are a great moral booster to people in various psychiatric and medical programs.

(12-30-08)

Stephanie Nelson, founder of CouponMom.com, says if a family knows some simple strategies they can save more than $6,000 in 2009. This mother of two behind CouponMom.com recently told Oprah viewers she has saved approximately $72,000 on groceries alone over the past 15 years since she began scoping out deals and gathering coupons.

"I've been saving at least $100 a week on groceries since my first son was born 15 years ago," Nelson says. "If you do the math that's almost $72,000. That could pay for a child to go to college and that's real money."

With the uncertain economic climate, coupon clipping is becoming more popular than ever, and Nelson has some simple advice to help shoppers save this year. She says it is possible for a family of four to spend $100 or less per week on groceries if they learn strategic shopping techniques.

"It is very realistic for a family of four to be able to save $500 a month," says Nelson. "At least $100 a week with grocery sales/coupons and $25 a week with other coupons (restaurant, clothes, online shopping, travel, bookstores, bowling, etc) ... that's $6,000 a year!"

Here are the tips to follow:

Plan your meals and shopping lists around featured sale items.

• Use your store's weekly sales ad flier to plan your menus for the week. Then, write your shopping list around the items and brands that are on sale.
• Taking a few minutes to make a detailed plan will save you the time of making unplanned trips to the store during the week – which can ruin your budget.
• Planning ahead also helps you avoid impulse shopping during your trip.
• Know how your stores' savings programs work.
  -Do they have "buy one, get one free" deals?
  -Do they double coupons?
  -Do they offer a store discount cards that gives you automatic discounts?
  -Do they have special store coupons?
• Once you know your stores' rules, you can combine them to pay the lowest possible prices for your items, such as using two coupons with a "buy one, get one free" deal. Combining strategies can result in free items.

Use grocery coupons, ideally when the item is on sale.

• Buy the Sunday newspaper – 75 percent of grocery coupons come from the newspaper. Buy two to three copies per week to save dramatically.
• Go online – grocery stores often have their best deals and printable coupons on their Web sites.
• Many stores offer electronic coupons that go directly on your store discount card. Stock up on common items when they hit their lowest price.
• Don't buy a year's supply, just enough to last until the next sale (two to three weeks).
• Boneless chicken is on sale every other week at Nelson's grocery store, so she buys two weeks of boneless chicken every other week to store in her freezer. This habit saves her family of four $325 a year on this one item. Be flexible about brands and stores.
• Buy the brand that's on sale with a coupon, or get the store brand if it's less expensive.
• Shop at the store with the best prices for your items that week.

For more information, visit www.couponmom.com.

(12-30-08)

As hearts swell with the season, our charitable donations rise. In this time of personal philanthropy, resolve to make a regular donation at the bank as well.

The blood bank.

Because of the perishable nature of blood and its components, the supply must be replenished regularly. "So now is the time for a New Year's resolution to donate blood at routine intervals, preferably twice a year," says Dr. Ravi Sarode, a pathologist who heads the Transfusion Medicine and Coagulation Laboratory at UT Southwestern Medical Center.

"To jog your memory, you might schedule your blood donations to coincide with your birthday and wedding anniversary or some other personal and perennial event to time your visits to the blood bank at five- or six-month intervals," says Dr. Sarode.

"The shelf life for platelets is only five days and, therefore, there is often a shortage of this critical blood component, especially during a long holiday season," Dr. Sarode says. "When you donate whole blood, you help three or four patients because whole blood is then divided into three or four of its major components, such as red cells, platelets and plasma. You can choose to donate either whole blood or only platelets or red cells."

(12-30-08)

Exploding champagne corks may add a dramatic flair to a holiday party, but they can also cause serious eye injuries such as ruptured globes, detached retinas and painful bruising. Dr. Preston Blomquist, an ophthalmologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, recommends the following safety tips:

• Chill champagne and sparkling wine to at least 45 degrees; a cork in a cold bottle is less likely to pop unexpectedly.
• Hold the cork down with the palm of your hand while removing the wire hood.
• Point the bottle away from people, and hold it at a 45-degree angle.
• Place a towel over the entire top of the bottle, grasp the cork and slowly and firmly twist to break the seal. Hold the bottle firmly with one hand and use the other hand to slowly turn the cork with a slight upward pull. Continue until the cork is almost out of the neck. Counter the outward force of the cork by applying slight downward pressure just as the cork breaks free from the bottle.

(12-30-08)

With the holidays upon us, watching our spending isn't our only challenge. We also need to keep our waistlines in check. Dr. Linda Michalsky, assistant professor of clinical nutrition at UT Southwestern Medical Center, offers tips to help keep in shape both during and after the holidays:

• Move! Gather your friends and relatives for a talk-as-you-walk after the meal and circle the buffet table two or three times before getting seconds or dessert.
• Limit intake to half or less of normal portions except for your favorite dish.
• Wait 15 to 20 minutes before going back for seconds or dessert, and limit both. If you cut a piece of pie or cake in half, someone will grab the other half immediately.
• Use smaller plates. If you only have large plates, leave some room so that part of the plate is visible.
• Drink water between other beverages.
• Choose a seat away from the food tables.
• Bring low-calorie foods you like.

(12-23-08)